Apparently I Really Am Ten...

So Google sends me emails whenever my likeness is published somewhere online. Today I received an update informing me that I am, in fact, actually ten years old... and living in Salem, Massachusetts. Oh yeah, and my mother, Ellen, broke her nose playing softball.

Softball-playing moms have a good time on the field

By Amanda McGregor, Staff Writer
The Salem News

BEVERLY | Elbows, knees and ankles were among the casualties of the annual Beverly Mom Ball softball tournament | but nothing could sideline local mothers from having a good time.

Michelle Curreri caught a ball that ended an inning, and was so excited that she lunged into a celebratory cartwheel. She was still wearing her baseball glove, however, and twisted her elbow, which was swollen and resting in a sling packed with ice.

"I'm just mad because I wanted to play today," said Curreri, who stood in the dugout yesterday cheering on her fellow Centerville Elementary School moms. "It's just so much fun."

Curreri was among 185 mothers who played in the eighth annual Mom Ball tournament, which drew the largest crowds and best weather in the history of the event, said tournament coordinator Trish Pinciaro.

"It's been an unbelievable weekend," Pinciaro said.

Mothers from 11 schools played throughout the weekend, from Friday to yesterday, at the Harry Ball Field in Beverly, to raise money for the Beverly Education Foundation and other local causes.

Mary Moulton stood on a pair of crutches yesterday afternoon wearing a large knee brace. Moulton plays catcher for the St. John's School team, and she broke her fibula | the bone on the outside of her left knee | Saturday morning when a baserunner collided with her by home plate. She'll need surgery this week, but that didn't weigh her down yesterday as she watched her team win game after game.

"We did everything we could to get out of the ER quickly," Moulton said. "We left (Beverly Hospital) at 12:30 and got back for the 1 o'clock game."

Spirits ran high throughout Harry Ball Field, where mothers cheered each other on, and their families lined the fences outside the field.

Julia Koenig, 8, wore a beaver costume in honor of Centerville School's mascot, Bucky the Beaver. She and a group of other Centerville students tirelessly belted out cheers.

"When I say 'Boogie!' you say 'Down!" the group chanted in unison. "Boogie, down! Boogie, down!"

"My mom broke her nose," Katie Santo, 10, said proudly of her mother, Ellen, whose injury sidelined her from playing for her Centerville team. "She was hit with a ball, at practice last Friday."

In honor of Ellen Santo's broken nose, the team held up a cutout of the beaver mascot with gauze and medical tape affixed to his nose | evidence of the fun and sportsmanship that defines the Mom Ball tournament.

"The camaraderie of the moms, and just getting the whole Beverly community together for the weekend is amazing," Pinciaro said.

"This is my absolute favorite weekend of the year," said Moulton, despite the serious knee injury. "My favorite thing is that the dads are behind the backstop, the kids are running around, and it's just girlfriends out on the field having fun and hanging out."

The event usually raises $6,000 to $7,000, through a $20 registration fee per player, and proceeds from the concession stand.

This year, the Mom Ball tournament's proceeds will benefit the Beverly Education Foundation, Star House in Beverly for abused children, the Beverly High School Volleyball Team, and the family of Lori Russo | a mother at the Hannah School who passed away from breast cancer in September.

There was also a food drive at the tournament for Beverly Bootstraps Food Pantry, as well as a 50/50 raffle fundraiser for the Beverly High girls softball team.

"It's just a great weekend for us because we're all together and it's for a good cause," said Maura Lewis, captain of the North Beverly Elementary School team for the last seven years. "And we made a triple play this year | that was a first!"

The women practice for about a month and a half before the tournament, depending on the team, and many of the moms come back year after year.

"It's too much fun to miss," said pitcher Margaret Wilder, who has played on the St. John's team for six years. "I woke up sore this morning. It must be age," she said with a laugh yesterday afternoon.

Julie Corcoran, who had her seventh child earlier this year, was back on the field | with her baby on the sidelines.

"It's a lot of fun and it's been a great way to meet other mothers from around the city," said Corcoran, who has played for the St. Mary's team for five years.

Sixty volunteers helped run this year's Mom Ball tournament, along with 12 umpires who volunteered for the entire weekend of games. The Beverly Recreation Department sponsors Mom Ball, along with various local businesses, according to Pinciaro.

After five years as tournament organizer, Pinciaro will be passing the torch to Anne Flaherty.

"It's been a lot of fun, but it's a lot of work," said Pinciaro, who walked around the field yesterday checking on everyone, fielding calls on her cell phone, and making sure the concession stand was stocked. "I've been to BJs five times. I've gotten so much food this year, it's been unbelievable."

---

Here's to the winners

Semifinals
Hannah 7, St. John's 6

Finals
St. Mary's 8, Hannah 3

The 11 schools in Beverly that play in the Mom Ball tournament are: Ayers, Beverly High, Beverly High alumni (moms whose children graduated, but still want to play), Centerville, Cove, North Beverly, Hannah, McKeown, Briscoe Middle School, St. John's and St. Mary's.